There is no fixed formula to make a movie hit. Bollywood movies with a strong star cast usually perform well at the box office, but even that is not certain. In the last decade, there are many movies that failed to perform but had the potential be a hit, or may be a super-hit if had little luck.

In this blog, we’re enlisting few such movies that may have flopped but are worth watching once.

Akaash Vani

Its a story of a couple who love each other like anything. They have their good times, bad times, girl gets married to someone else under societal pressure yet they end up together. The movie tells the true meaning of love.

Story is great, songs are good, and performance by the new actors are simply awesome.

Shaitan

Hindi cinema seldom make films where characters reveal their inner dirty self without getting lured by things like morality. Shaitan is one such film. It tells story of five rich kids who are emotionally estranged from their family. They make their own kidnapping plan to pay for one road accident that killed two innocent people. As things turn horribly out of control, each one of them decides to listen to their ugly head.

A brave attempt by first time director towards making an engaging film, which should not be missed. Here is Shaitan on YouTube.

[Cast: Kalki Koechlin, Rajeev Khandelwal, Rajkumar Yadav]

I am Kalam

A welcome addition to the genre of children films in India, I am Kalam is a thought-provoking cinema. Story of a young protagonist chotu, and his ambition towards becoming someone big like our then president, Mr APJ Abdul Kalam.

The movie has a freshness in it that gives you a sense of hope. Highly recommended. Its on YouTube as well.

[Cast: Gulshan Grover, Harsh Mayar]

Heroes

The movie has a strong message for youth.

Heroes beautifully showcase the mentality of today’s youth and how they feel about being an army man. It focuses on the fact that pride and feeling to do something for the country is the major driving factor for a person to become a soldier. One doesn’t need to wear a uniform to serve the nation, just a small attempt to bring a change in any manner is enough.

Best for watching with friends on weekend but you have to purchase it as its not available on YouTube.

Rehna Hai Terre Dil Me

A love-triangle masala movie with good chunk of humor, action and tragedy. Songs are pretty soothing; some like ‘Zara Zara mehakta hai’ and ‘sach keh raha hai deewana’ are still very much alive among youth.

Gulaal

If you are in for some dark, bold movies, Gulaal is for you. Its a simple movie with no fancy locations and kinky stuff but has an awesome story. It tells story of an India that is trying hard to cope-up with its complicated history and contemporary identity. From Zamindars to love, betrayal, and ragging, the movie talks about a number of serious issues, and does it with style.

Aashayein

Probably the best movie in our list, Aashayein is a story of compulsive gambler who wins big amount in lottery but hell breaks loose when he comes to know of his cancer. The movie is his story from being a careless man to a man who understands the importance of life and spreading happiness to others.

Acting of John Abraham deserves accolades. Like other movies in the list, songs of aashayein are pretty awesome as well. Some songs deserving attention includes ’Pal me Mila Jahan’, ‘Ab mujhko jeena’ and ‘Chala Aaya Pyar’.

[Cast: John Abraham, Sonal Chauhan]

What’s Your Rashee

How this movie went unnoticed at the box office is still a mystery for me. A good story, awesome music with strong performance of Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja, What’s your Rashee shouldn’t be a flop going by the norms.

Songs like ‘Jao Na’ and ‘Bikhri Bikhri’ added more stars to the beauty of the movie.

Dor

Just like other movies made by Nagesh Kukunoor, even Dor brings along with it a ray of hope. It is a wonderful movie that beautifully explains the difference between two widows living in different corners of India yet how they are united by the pain within. The film in aesthetically shot in picturesque locations of Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Pyar Ke Side Effects

The movie shows the mindset of 3 guys; one dumped by his girlfriend due to his careless nature, another of a man who loves his girlfriend but isn’t ready for marriage and third of a man who isn’t ready to be a father after marriage.

The movie has a touch of humor and could be a weekend-spender for you.

Dhoka

It’s a story of Muslim women who becomes a suicide bomber after she is sexually abused at a police station. The movie has a sensitive touch and beautifully showcases the wrong practices existing in our legal system including unsafe atmosphere at police station for women and double standards for executing suspect based on his religion.

DevD

If you are used to see the story of Devdas in traditional black and white characters, you must watch this one. A different take on the life of Paro, Devdas and Chandramukhi, this is a sure winner in terms of music, cinematography, background score, and most importantly story-telling.

Socha Na Tha

The first movie from today’s legend director Imtiaz Ali, Socha Na Tha is a lovely movie. Talking about the confusion of love and commitment in today’s generation, the movie is a winner all the way. If you want to forget your worries, go ahead and buy a DVD of this one.